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Financing Study Abroad


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INVEST IN YOURSELF
Studying abroad can seem financially demanding, but study abroad can be surprising affordable! We make every effort to develop and recommend programs that are high quality and cost efficient for students at Concordia St. Paul. Below you will find more information on financing study abroad.

For information about Graduate Travel Seminars, please follow the link: Financial Information for Graduate Students
PREPARATION FOR FINANCING STUDY ABROAD
  • Type of Program: Determine your needs and interests (location, credits, cost of living, type of program). Compare the cost and features of each program to find the best match. For the most cost efficient programs, check out CONCORDIA ST. PAUL’S FEATURED PROGRAMS.​
  • Scholarships: APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, specifically for study abroad available through a number of organizations. 
  • Meet with the Financial Aid Office: It is possible to use financial aid for most credit-bearing study abroad options endorsed by Concordia University.
  • Complete your FAFSA and be sure you have a current FAFSA on file.
  • Obtain the Study Abroad Cost Estimate Form from your study abroad advisor.​
  • Request an appointment with financial aid (state that you want to meet to understand financing study abroad). Bring your study abroad cost estimate form to this appointment. By the end of this appointment, you should have a clear understanding of your out of pocket cost. See below for common questions to ask:
  1. I want to take out loans to cover the costs, what do I do now?
  2. What types of loans would I be eligible for (federal, state, private, etc.)?
  3. Are there any restrictions on what the loan money can be spent on?
  4. What is my out of pocket cost? ​
MONEY CONSIDERATIONS
  • Putting Money Aside: Try to put a percentage of your paycheck away just for study abroad.
  • Out-of-Pocket Expenses Before Departure: Students are responsible for up front expenses (plane ticket, passport, deposits, and visa) prior to financial aid awards disbursing, so plan your finances carefully.
  • Living and Travel Expenses: Room and board costs are usually established by the program provider. It is important to take into account the COST OF LIVING. For example, living in London is generally more expensive than living in St. Paul, while living in Asan, South Korea on CSP’s exchange program is generally less expensive.
  • Create a Personal Budget: What should your average daily expenditure be?
  • Cancellation Consequences: Meet with your study abroad advisor and financial aid counselor to understand cost before you commit financially to a program. Deposits and fees are usually non-refundable. 
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